Recreation Assistant

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Long Beach VA Medical Center seeks a Recreation Assistant to support residents in the Community Living Center with recreation therapy under supervision.

The role emphasizes active involvement in patient-centered activities and therapeutic programs designed to aid recovery and well-being. You will assist in implementing therapy programs, work with residents with varying conditions, maintain safety and supplies, and document patient progress.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience at the GS-4 level or higher related to recreation therapy.
• Substitution of education for experience is possible with a four-year degree and relevant coursework.
• Combination of experience and education may qualify.

Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate recreation therapy services under supervision.
• Assist in implementing programs for residents in the Community Living Center.
• Support therapists in delivering a full range of treatment modalities.
• Maintain cleanliness and safety of therapy storage areas and supplies.
• Document patient participation and response to treatment in daily notes.
• Work Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Education

Bachelor's degree in recreation or physical education

Job description

Summary

These positions are at the full performance level located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - in the VA Long Beach Healthcare System/Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center in Long Beach - California - in the Geriatrics and Extended Care Service - Community Living Center (CLC) department located in Long Beach - California.

Summary

These positions are at the full performance level located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - in the VA Long Beach Healthcare System/Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center in Long Beach - California - in the Geriatrics and Extended Care Service - Community Living Center (CLC) department located in Long Beach - California.

Qualifications

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. ~AND~ DRIVER'S LICENSE REQUIREMENT: This position requires a current - valid state driver's license. Do not upload a copy of your license at this time. If an interview is requested - you may be required to provide a copy of your current - valid - and unrestricted state driver's license. ~AND~ In addition to meeting the English Language Proficiency requirement and Driver's License requirement - you must also possess one of the following: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must possess one (1) year of specialized experience - equivalent to the GS-4 level in the Federal service - that equipped you with the particular knowledge - skills - and abilities (KSA's) needed to successfully perform the duties of the position and that is typically in or related to this Recreation Assistant position to be filled. Specialized experience for the position includes serving as a group leader - counselor - or similar work in public and private recreation programs for adults or children such as summer camps - local playgrounds - YWCA and YMCA clubs - Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts - urban community centers - or resort recreational activities; Teacher's Aid in elementary school recreation or physical education program - with emphasis on development of general recreational skills and abilities; Aid or assistant assignments in recreation while on active military service; Aid or assistant in the organization and administration of recreation activities - such as preparing activities calendars - maintaining attendance records - and providing information concerning schedules and activities. ADDITIONAL SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE INCLUDES: implementing a program of therapeutic and free-choice recreation activities for patient groups with simple to complex psychiatric/physical disabilities; documenting progress of patients. (THIS EXPERIENCE MUST BE SUPPORTED BY YOUR RESUME TO BE CREDITABLE.) ~OR~ SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: You must have successfully completed a four (4) year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least twenty four (24) semester hours in courses related to recreation or physical education. (COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION) ~OR~ COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: You must possess equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements at the GS-5 level. (THIS EXPERIENCE MUST BE SUPPORTED BY YOUR RESUME TO BE CREDITABLE AND COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION) Physical Demands: Walking - standing - lifting - bending - stopping in assisting veterans in mobilization - active involvement with patients in various recreation therapy activities - driving recreation vehicles - and quick action in any emergency. The work is primarily very active in nature with some sedentary work involved when performing clerical/administrative work. Work Environment: Work is conducted in a medical center setting - in classrooms - community programs - both indoors and outdoors - in all kinds of weather conditions. May include theaters - museums - shopping malls - sporting arenas - bowling alleys - restaurants - ocean - park - etc. For more information on these qualification standards - please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Duties

• ***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION - YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** The Recreation Assistant is responsible for leading and facilitating recreation therapy services specified in the patient/resident plan of care or for identified patient/resident groups under the guidance and direction of recreation therapists - certified therapeutic recreation specialists - and/or creative arts therapists
• Major duties and responsibilities include: Assisting in the implementation Recreation Therapy programs for residents within the Community Living Center Facilitating the Recreation Therapist(s) in carrying out a full range of treatment modalities
• Working with residents who have a variety of illnesses - diseases and/or disabling conditions with varying degrees of impairment
• Assisting in the overall cleanliness and safety of recreation therapy storage areas - assisting in ordering - stocking - and maintenance of supplies
• Providing assistance in implementing the Recreation Therapy program for patients with acute and chronic medical conditions in the designated medical center ward(s) or unit(s) as assigned by the CLC Recreational Therapy Manager and CLC Recreation Therapists
• Managing position responsibilities with little supervision - as well as sets priorities and deadlines - adjusting the flow and sequencing of the work to meet team and patient needs
• Implementing activity task analysis which involves taking a patient through the step-by-step process of an activity
• Adapting activities predominately through the use of equipment - and/or provides on a one-to-one basis
• Working with residents who have a variety of illnesses - diseases - and/or disabling conditions with varying degrees of impairment Completing daily encounter notes indicating patient participation and response to treatment
• Performing other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday
• 8:00 a.m
• - 4:30 p.m
• Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized